In the debris of a broken city, what retains its gleam when memories become the only polished fragments?
Fifteen-year-old Lily aspires to attain a higher status in a society dictated by the smudged patterns of "Wogy-Wdy's" beauty products. The promi...
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Just as Lily's hand moved toward it with eagerness, Samuel paused, his expression growing slightly serious. "Actually, I think I should watch this first by myself, just to make sure there's nothing in it that might not be appropriate for you."
Understanding her uncle's concern, she nodded.
He watched the video attentively, scanning for anything that might be unsuitable. "It's all good. We can watch it together."
Lily's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? Let's see what's on it!"
They both leaned in as the screen flickered to life, revealing a man in his mid-forties, his hair and beard adorned with a distinguished hue of gray streaks. Against the backdrop of a pristine home, devoid of any signs of destruction, he adjusted the frame of the video, cleared his throat, and began:
"Hello, my name is Daniel Evans, and I'm recording this message from my home under the constant threat of enemy bombings. I'm uncertain when my time will come, but I've chosen to film this video in the hope that this cassette might survive even if I don't. The reason for my recording is to shed light on a company that has silently infiltrated our lives - Wogy-Wdy.
I've witnessed the insane spread of their products, but how many of us truly understand the company's motives? Whether you use their products or not, I urge you to question their true intentions. Have you ever wondered why every product design features certain letters? I regret not having a product in hand to show you, but I can reveal that you can decode these letters using a Vigenère cipher with the keyword 'product.'
Once decoded, take the information to the tr-"
BOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed in the background, causing the camera to tremble violently. Daniel's eyes widened, frozen for a moment in the sudden chaos. After a brief pause, he regained his composure and continued,
"-Once decoded, head to the treehouse and tuck the solved result inside. When you return the next day, you'll discover a compact radio-a vital link to a clandestine network gathering evidence of the truth. Consider it your ticket to joining our circle.
But don't anticipate immediate clarity. Unraveling the hidden message within your result will require traversing several intricate steps.
Despite being alone in the face of bombings, I find solace in knowing that I am not truly alone, for God is with me. Stay vigilant, and may this message reach those who seek the truth."
The video ended with a burst of static noise, leaving them staring at the screen in confusion. Samuel suggested rewatching the footage, expressing his disbelief as he rewound the tape, "This guy filmed everything before our land was destroyed. The tape's been under the ruins for seven years. Can you believe it?"
"Seven years... My memories from that time are so few and blurry." Lily scratched her head as she tried to pull things from her mind.
"To me, it feels like it was just yesterday. Branchwood was enchanting, more so than Fameland; its beauty had its own identity."
